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- As the NFL Draft approaches, keep an eye out for Bam Olaseni.
- The massive tackle from Utah, by way of London, is quickly gaining interest across the league.
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NFL Draft season is officially upon us. With the college football season having come to a close and the NFL season wrapping up, it is time to start looking toward the future and Bamidele ‘Bam’ Olaseni is someone to watch.
And not just for his look.
The 6-foot-8, 300-pound offensive tackle from London is quickly rising up draft boards. Although he has not played football in the U.S. for very long, he has been quick to adjust to the game.
Big Bam Olaseni’s path to Salt Lake is unlike any other Ute ever. I talked to the coaches who helped him get here and some said Bam being able to sit and learn for a year and get into peak physical shape would by ideal, both for Utah and Bam. https://t.co/5elMWrYj3X pic.twitter.com/jiLCEwI4EH
— Chris Kamrani (@chriskamrani) September 5, 2019
He was the No. 9 JUCO offensive tackle in the nation after being named an NJCAA All-American in 2018 and then committed to Utah.
Big Bam! Celebrated OT Bamidele Olaseni (#10-ranked offensive tackle in the country) has signed with the Utes! First-team NJCAA All-American and four-star recruit. Learn more https://t.co/TCWo6tADgN. #UtahNSD19 #goutes pic.twitter.com/DalYv6zSQs
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) February 6, 2019
Olaseni didn’t play much during his first two years with the Utes, but started 11 games at left tackle and appeared in all 14 games in 2021. After having a good season and helping Utah reach the Rose Bowl, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference second-team.
Now he is gaining a lot of interest in the pre-draft process.
Olaseni is playing in the Shrine Bowl this weekend and has gone viral for his massive wingspan. He has a verified wingspan of 88 3/8″, which is the same as a full-grown Canadian Goose.
When he is drafted, Olaseni will have the longest wingspan in the NFL.
Utah OL Bam Olaseni and his 88” wingspan 😧@ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/QkdBwlFtIK
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 31, 2022
He is massive.
Bam Olaseni is going to be a massive riser coming out of the @ShrineBowl. 📈
– Height: 6'7″
– Weight: 348
– Arm Length: 36 1/2″
– Wingspan: 88 3/8″— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) January 30, 2022
As for his play, Olaseni is not someone that a defensive lineman wants to see on the other side of the ball. He is hard to get through or move past and has shown his skills during Shrine Bowl practice all week.
Bam Olaseni with the beautiful kick out block pic.twitter.com/y4fD4c7D9y
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) January 29, 2022
Olaseni has been working on both sides of the line and people are taking notice.
Trying to win around the outside of 6’8” Bam Olaseni, who incidentally has 36 4/8” arms, is something of a fools errand!
The Utah OT is impressing early at the #ShrineBowl…
— College Football Network (@CFN365) January 29, 2022
Good luck trying to get to the quarterback if Olaseni is in the way.
Another great rep from Bam Olaseni pic.twitter.com/Hh5HGhLCj6
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) January 30, 2022
They call him the British Bruiser and it’s not hard to see why. Whatever team ends up drafting Olaseni is going to be very happy, even if his development takes a year or two.